Freddie Hubbard: One of a Kind

Compiling two episodes from Ad Lib, a 1980 TV series hosted by arranger/composer Phil Moore (Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey) that featured jazz, blues, and soul musicians performing in a live setting, Freddie Hubbard: One of a Kind showcases the Grammy Award-winning trumpeter. After honing his chops with Wes and Monk Montgomery, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, and other greats, the Indiana-born Hubbard struck out on his own. Despite playing on freestyle jazz classics, like John Coltrane's Ascension and former roommate Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch, Hubbard specialized in post-bop and hard bop. Here, his sidemen include Billy Childs on piano, Stephen Houghton on drums, Buck Clark on percussion (mostly congas), and Larry Klein on bass (both electric and stand-up), with the first set serving up four tracks, and the second offering an additional three, plus a short interview. Like many of the best leaders, Hubbard allows his band mates ample opportunity to shine, particularly Childs, whose rapid-fire playing propels these sets that include “First Light,” “Love Connection,” and the title track. Despite the occasional acceleration in tempo, the overall mood is relaxed and funky on this Dolby Digital stereo presentation. DVD extras include a text-based biography and an Ad Lib highlights reel. A solid bet for jazz aficionados, this is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)